Photographic slide cartridge



May 19, 1954 E. F. JOHNSON 3,133,332

PHOTOGRAPHIC SLIDE CARTRIDGE Filed NOV. 6, 1962 United States Patent O3,133,332 PHOTOGRAPHIC SLIDE CARTRIDGE Edward F. Johnson, 274i) E.Wilson Ave., Grange, Calif. Filed Nov. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 235,717 4Claims. (Cl. 24-263) The present invention relates to a device for usewith photographic slides or transparencies and, more specifically, to acartridge for holding photographic slides or transparencies.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedphotographic slide cartridge adapted to hold and store photographicslides or transparencies.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a photographicslide cartridge that is compact, easy to grasp, and simple to operate.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide aphotographic slide cartridge that normally stores photographic slides,yet is actuable to release the stored slides into a slide feedingmechanism, for example.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a photographicslide cartridge having its frame members resiliently biased toresiliently store photographic slides.

It is a still a further object, in accordance with the previous objects,to provide a photographic slide cartridge that releases the storedslides by the simple expedient of applying linger pressure.

It is yet another object of the present invention to pro- Vide aphotograph slide cartridge that is susceptible to mass productiontechniques and, thus, may be produced relatively quickly andinexpensively.

The above and other objects of the present invention are realized byproviding a new and improved photographic slide cartridge adapted tohold and release photographic slides or transparencies. In its preferredembodiment the cartridge comprises relatively movable frame members,each of which includes a linger gripping leg, an intermediate leg, and aslide gripping leg. The frame members are slidable and are arranged suchthat their intermediate legs are superimposed. A suitable plate means issecured to one of said intermediate members to guide the otherintermediate member during movement in relation to the lirstintermediate member. Additionally, biasing means are supported from theplate means to resiliently urge the slide gripping legs together.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation takenwith further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood byreference to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of one embodiment of a photographic slidecartridge embodying the features Vof the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the cartridge of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the cartridge of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the cartridge of FIG- URE l;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational View of the cartridge of FIGURE l, therelative position of the frame members after actuation being illustratedin phantom; and

FIGURE 6 is a top plan View of another embodiment of the photographicslide cartridge embodying the features of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGURE l, whereinlike reference numerals designate like parts, a cartridge embodying thefeatures of the pres- Vent invention is illustrated and identiiiedgenerally by the reference numeral 10. The cartridge 1li is particularlyadapted to store or hold graphic slides or transparencies 12. Inaddition, the cartridge 10 is manually actuable to discharge by gravitythe stored slides 12 into a suitable receiving mechanism, for example aslide feeding mechanism in a slide projector (not shown).

The slides 12 are held in the cartridge 10 by slide gripping legs 20 ofstep-shaped frame members 14. Finger gripping legs 16 are resilientlybiased apart by a flat wire spring 22 which also urges the slidegripping legs 20 together. Accordingly, when the slides 12 are placedbetween the slide gripping legs Ztl, they will be resiliently grippedand stored. To release the slides 12 from the legs 20, the lingergripping legs 16 are squeezed by the operators lingers to compress thespring 22 and cause the slide gripping legs 20 to separate. As a result,the legs 2li release their grip on the slides 12 which fall by the forceof gravity into a suitable slide feeding mechanism in a slide projector.

Considering the photographic slide cartridge 10 generally, it comprisesa lirst step-shaped frame member 14a and a second step-shaped framemember Mb. Each frame member 14a and Mb is comprised of a fingergripping leg 16a and llib, an intermediate leg 18a and 1gb, and a slidegripping leg Zlla and Zlib. The lirst frame member 14a has a slot 24disposed intermediate the vertical edges of the linger gripping leg 16aat its juncture with the intermediate leg 18a. This slot 24 accommodatesthe intermediate leg 18h of the second stepped member lrlb, such thatthe intermediate legs 18a and 18b are overlapped and the resultantcartridge 1li will have a generally H-shaped side conliguration.

The frame members 14a and lldb are relatively movable by means of lingergripping legs Ida and 16b, which are relatively biased by a generallyheart-shaped liat wire spring 22 ixedly secured to a bracket 26appropriately fastened to the lirst intermediate leg 18a. As bestillustrated in FIGURE 3, this spring 22 is normally in a depressedcondition between the iinger gripping leg 16a and 16b and thus exerts aforce on the frame members 14a and 14h so as to maintain them in theposition illustrated in FIGURE 3. When the linger gripping legs 16a andlieb are squeezed together against the force of the spring 22, theintermediate legs 18a and 1811 slide relative to one another and theslide gripping legs 2) move from the position illustrated in solid linesin FIGURE 5 to the position illustrated in phantom in FIGURE 5. As aresult, the slide gripping legs 2li are separated, and any slides 12stored between the legs 20 are released. When the linger gripping legsida and lob are released, the spring 22 urges the legs Ida and 16b backto their normal positions, with the result that the intermediate legs18a and 18b slide relative to one another in a direction opposite tothat described above and the slide gripping legs 2da and 26317 movetoward one another into the position illustrated in solid lines inFIGURE 5.

The step-shaped frame members 14a and 14b have a configuration bestshown in FIGURES l, 2, and 4 and 5 include, respectively, verticallinger gripping legs 16a and 16h, intermediate legs 18a and 18hhorizontally disposed at one end of the linger gripping legs 16a andltib, and slide gripping legs 20a and Zlib vertically disposed in adownward direction at the other end of the intermediate legs 18a and18b.

The lirst frame member 14a has legs 16a, 18a, and 20a which are all ofthe same width, but the width of the legs 16h, 18h and Zlib of thesecond frame member Mb are not the same. The second slide gripping legZlib is the same width as its counterpart, the lirst slide gripping leg20a, whereas, the intermediate leg lb and the linger gripping leg 161)are approximately one-half the width of any of the other legs 16a, 18a,2da, and Zlib.

The lirst frame member 14a has an aperture in the form of a narrow slot24 cut horizontally in the linger gripping leg 16a for a distance ofapproximately one-half its width. Actually, the slot 24 is disposed atthe base of the vertical edge of the finger gripping leg 16a,immediately adjacent the intermediate leg 13a. In assembly, the fingergripping leg 16b and intermediate leg 13b of the second frame member 14bare passed through this slot 24 and positioned so that both theintermediate legs 18a and lb overlap, the first intermediate leg 18abeing disposed beneath the second intermediate leg 1Sb to form anassembly with a generally l-i-shaped end configuration.

The intermediate leg 13b and slide gripping leg Ztlb of the second framemember 14b are oiiset from one another at their juncture as best seen inFIGURE This offset prevents the possibility of the slides 12 moving upin the gap between the second slide gripping leg Zlb and the firstintermediate leg 18a when the cartridge 1d is manually actuated and thuspreventing the second slide gripping leg 2Gb from springing backcompletely when the manual actuation is stopped or released.

The generally heart-shaped flat wire spring 22 is lixedly secured to thebracket 26 by means of a countersunk head rivet 28 which passes througha washer 29 and a bulbous portion 22a of the spring 22 into the bracket26. The washer Ztl insures that the spring 22 will remain iixedlysecured to the bracket 2-6 by preventing the bulbous spring portion 22afrom working free of the rivet 2S,

The bracket 26 in turn is secured to the first intermediate leg 13a bymeans of fasteners 36 passing through and securing the outermost endportions 32 thereto. The bracket 26 comprises a plate having both endportions thereof formed into L-shaped configurations 36 such that whenthe bracket 26 is seated on the first intermediate leg 18a, theoutermost end portions 32 thereof are contiguous with the firstintermediate leg 18a. Actually, the center portion 34 is slightly widerthan the second intermediate leg ltlb to provide a passage or guidingmeans for the second intermediate leg 18h during its movement relativeto leg 18a when the cartridge 10 is actuated.

The generally heart-shaped iiat wire spring 22 as best shown in FIGURES1 and 4, is located between, and coacts with, the finger gripping legs16a and 1611. When in the position illustrated by the phantom lines inFIG- URE 5, the spring 22 is depressed and exerts a force on the fingergripping legs 16a and 16b. Because the spring 22 is tixedly secured tothe first stepped member 14a, its position is correspondingly fixed withrespect to the first finger gripping leg 16a and the force exerted bythe spring 22 is directed against the second finger gripping leg 16b tocause it to be pushed or forced away from its corresponding leg 16a. Theseparating movement of the leg 16b is limited, however, by theengagement of the second slide gripping leg 20 with the firstintermediate leg 18a. The finger gripping legs 16a and 16b aremaintained in assembled relation, yet are resiliently biased apart underthe control of the spring 22. The slide gripping legs 20a and 2Gb aremaintained in assembled relation, but conversely, are resiliently biasedtogether under the control of the spring 22.

Thus, the bracket 26 serves to support the spring 22, guide the passageof the second intermediate leg 13b when the cartridge is actuated,maintain the frame members 14a and 14b in assembled relation withassistance from the spring 22, and maintains the intermediate legs 18aand 1gb in superimposed relation. In addition, as will be seen later inniore detail, the bracket 26 serves to limit the movement of the framemembers 14a and 141: by allowing the second intermediate leg 18]; topass through it until the leg 13b abuts therewith.

The cartridge 10 is actuated by squeezing the linger gripping legs 16aand 16b together with a force suiicient to overcome the resistanceoffered by the spring 22. When the legs 16a and ltb are moved closertogether, the second intermediate leg 1819 simultaneously slides overthe irst intermediate leg 18a and the second slide gripping leg 2Gb ismoved away from its corresponding leg 20a, i.e., from the position shownin solid lines in FIGURE 5 toward the position shown in phantom inFIGURE 5.

The extent of this separation, however, is directly related to theextent the finger gripping legs 16a and 1611 move together. When theselegs 16a and 16b are actuated, the second leg 16h moves toward the firstleg 16a until it abuts against the edge of the plate 26 as shown inphantom in FIGURE 4. This limitation in the actuation of the cartridge10 provides for stability in the frame members 14a and 14b-for if thefinger gripping legs 16a and leb were allowed to be squeezed together asfar as the spring 22 would allow-the second inger gripping leg 16!)would raise up and cause its intermediate leg 13b to pivot about thefirst intermediate leg 18a. As a result, the end portion of its slidegripping leg 20a would move toward the end portion of the second slidegripping leg 20b and thereby narrow the gap between the lower portion ofthe legs 20a and 2Gb to prevent the insertion of slides 12 therebetween.

When the cartridge 10 is actuated and the slide gripping legs 20a and2tlb are separated, as shown in phantom in FIGURE 5, the slides 12 areinserted therebetween. The number of slides 12 that the cartridge 1)will grip and hold is directly related to their thickness. Specifically,their thickness must be no greater than the maximum separation of thelegs 20a and 2Gb, and no less than the minimum separation of the legs26a and Zlib (see FIG. 5). If the slides 12 have a thickness greaterthan the maximum separation, they will not all fit into this space andif they have a thickness less than the minimum separation, they willfall out and not be held by the cartridge 1t).

On the other hand, when a number of slides 12 having the optimumthickness, as described above, is placed between the actuated slidegripping legs 20a and 20h, as shown in phantom in FIGURE 5, lthey aregripped and held when the finger gripping legs 16a and 16b are releasedas shown by the solid lines in FIGURE 5. The release of these legs 16aand 161) causes the spring 22 to force the second leg lab away from theirst leg 16a until the first and second slide gripping legs 20a and 2Gbabut against the slides 12. Once the slides 12 are gripped by the legs20a and 2Gb, the slides are resiliently held by the cartridge 10 underthe control of the spring 22.

To release the slides 12 into a suitable slide feeding mechanism in aviewing projector, for example, the cartridge 10 containing the slides12 is placed over such mechanism and the cartridge 10 actuated asheretofore described. This causes the slide gripping legs 20a and 20h toseparate and the slides 12 to fall by the force of gravity into theslide feeding mechanism.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGURE 6and is generally identified by reference numeral 110. The cartridgefunctions identically to cartridge 10 and embodies the same structure,with the exception that a different biasing arrangement and supportarrangement is substituted in cartridge 110 for the spring 26 andbracket 28 of cartridge 10.

As shown in FIGURE 6, the cartridge 110 includes a pair of stepped framemembers 114a and 1Mb, identical in construction to frame members 14a and14b described above. In contrast to the cartridge 10, the cartridge 110embodies a block 126 which is seated on a pair of spacers 13261 and132b, which in turn are seated on the first intermediate leg 118a. Theblock 126 and the spacers 132a and 132b are suitably secured thereto byfasteners 136. Similar to the bracket 26 of cartridge 10, the block 126and the spacers 132:1 and 132b provide a guiding means for the secondintermediate leg llb during its movement relative to the leg i18n whenthe cartridge 110 is actuated.

Similar to the bracket 26, the block 126 supports the resilient biasingmeans for the cartridge 110. To this end, there is provided a pair ofresilient plungers 138a and 138b which co-act with the finger grippingleg 116b. Specifically, a pair of bores 140a and 140b extendtransversely into the block 126 to accommodate a pair of springs 122aand 122b and the pair of plungers 138a and 13811. Similar to the spring22, the plungers 138a and 1.3%, biased by the coil springs 122a and122b, urge the finger gripping legs 116a and 116b apart and, thereby,urge the slide gripping legs 120e: and 120b together.

Although the present embodiment of this invention is fabricated frommetal, any other suitable material could be used.

While the embodiments described herein are at present considered to bepreferred, it is understood that various modifications and improvementsmay be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claimsall such modifications and improvements as fall within the spirit andscope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A photographic slide cartridge for storing a plurality ofphotographic slides and for selectively discharging the slides into asuitable slide-feeding mechanism; which cartridge comprises a first anda second step-shaped frame member each having a finger gripping leg, anintermediate leg and a slide gripping leg that is engageable with theslides when confined within the cartridge; said first frame member beingapertured to receive said intermediate leg of said second frame memberso that said intermediate leg of said second frame member is slidablysuperimposed over said intermediate leg of said first frame member andso that said frame members have a generally H-shaped side configuration;a housing secured to Vsaid intermediate leg of said first frame member;said housing defining a passage for receiving said intermediate leg ofsaid second frame member so that said interme-` diate legs of said framemembers are maintained in slidably superimposed relation; and biasingmeans connected to said housing and coacting with said frame members sothat said slide-gripping legs are biased toward each other and impart agripping force to the slides situated therebetween; said slide-grippinglegs being moved apart against the resilient action of said biasingmeans in response to said finger gripping legs being urged together andin response to the resultant sliding movement of said intermediate legof said second frame member through said passage and through theapertured portion of said first frame member.

2. A slide cartridge as defined in claim 1 wherein said biasing means isa plunger and spring arrangement pro- 5 vided in said housing andbearing against said finger gripping leg of said second frame member.

3. A photographic slide cartridge for storing a plurality ofphotographic slides and for selectively discharging the slides into asuitable slide-feeding mechanism; which cartridge comprises a first anda second step-shaped frame member each having a linger gripping leg, anintermediate leg and a slide gripping leg that is engageable with theslides when confined within the cartridge; said first frame member beingapertured Vto receive said intermediate leg ofsaid second frame memberso that said intermediate leg of said second frame member is slidablysuperimposed over said intermediate leg of said first frame member andso that said frame members have a generally H-shaped side configuration;a housing secured to said intermediate leg of said first frame member;said housing defining a passage for receiving said intermediate leg ofsaid second frame member so that said intermediate legs of said framemembers are maintained in slidably superimposed relation; and biasingmeans connected to said housing and coacting with said frame members sothat said slide-gripping legs are biased toward each other and impart agripping force to the slides situated therebetween; said slide-grippinglegs being moved apart against the resilient action of said biasingmeans in response to `said finger gripping legs being urged together andin response to the resultant sliding movement of said intermediate legof said second frame member through said passage and through theapertured portion of said first frame member; said intermediate leg andsaid slide gripping leg of said second frame member being offset at thejuncture thereof to preclude the slides from moving between the saidintermediate leg of said first frame member and the slide gripping legof said second frame member when said cartridge is selectively actuated.

4. A slide cartridge as defined in claim 3 wherein said biasing means isa plunger and spring arrangement provided in said housing and bearingagainst said linger gripping leg of said second frame member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS461,998 Coombs Oct. 27, 1891 785,432 Perkins Mar. 21, 1905 1,556,579Baltzley Oct. 13, 1925 2,074,643 Domenego Mar. 23, 1937 2,604,680 BrackJuly 29, 1952 2,698,765 Eagle Jan. 4, 1955 2,820,270 Scott Jan. 21, 1958

1. A PHOTOGRAPHIC SLIDE CARTRIDGE FOR STORING A PLURALITY OFPHOTOGRAPHIC SLIDES AND FOR SELECTIVELY DISCHARGING THE SLIDES INTO ASUITABLE SLIDE-FEEDING MECHANISM; WHICH CARTRIDGE COMPRISES A FIRST ANDA SECOND STEP-SHAPED FRAME MEMBER EACH HAVING A FINGER GRIPPING LEG, ANINTERMEDIATE LEG AND A SLIDE GRIPPING LEG THAT IS ENGAGEABLE WITH THESLIDES WHEN CONFINED WITHIN THE CARTRIDGE; SAID FIRST FRAME MEMBER BEINGAPERTURED TO RECEIVE SAID INTERMEDIATE LEG OF SAID SECOND FRAME MEMBERSO THAT SAID INTERMEDIATE LEG OF SAID SECOND FRAME MEMBER IS SLIDABLYSUPERIMPOSED OVER SAID INTERMEDIATE LEG OF SAID FIRST FRAME MEMBER ANDSO THAT SAID FRAME MEMBERS HAVE A GENERALLY H-SHAPED SIDE CONFIGURATION;A HOUSING SECURED TO SAID INTERMEDIATE LEG OF SAID FIRST FRAME MEMBER;SAID HOUSING DEFINING A PASSAGE FOR RECEIVING SAID INTERMEDIATE LEG OFSAID SECOND FRAME MEMBER SO THAT SAID INTERMEDIATE LEGS OF SAID FRAMEMEMBERS ARE MAINTAINED IN SLIDABLY SUPERIMPOSED RELATION; AND BIASINGMEANS CONNECTED TO SAID HOUSING AND COACTING WITH SAID FRAME MEMBERS SOTHAT SAID SLIDE-GRIPPING LEGS ARE BIASED TOWARD EACH OTHER AND IMPART AGRIPPING FORCE TO THE SLIDES SITUATED THEREBETWEEN; SAID SLIDE-GRIPPINGLEGS BEING MOVED APART AGAINST THE RESILIENT ACTION OF SAID BIASINGMEANS IN RESPONSE TO SAID FINGER GRIPPING LEGS BEING URGED TOGETHER ANDIN RESPONSE TO THE RESULTANT SLIDING MOVEMENT OF SAID INTERMEDIATE LEGOF SAID SECOND FRAME MEMBER THROUGH SAID PASSAGE AND THROUGH THEAPERTURED PORTION OF SAID FIRST FRAME MEMBER.